Plans to turn Guildhall building in Nottingham city centre into multi-million pound luxury hotel unveiled

It is though the development will generate 250 jobs

A planning application has now been submitted to build a 160-room luxury hotel in the centre of Nottingham.

Back in February this year, a hotel operator applied to begin the planning process to redevelop the Grade-II listed Guildhall building in Burton Street.

The joint venture by Locksley Hotels and Ascena has now taken a step closure as the final planning application was submitted to Nottingham City Council as of May 29.

The application, submitted by Ascena and architects RPS Design Group, reveals the final plans for a 162-bed four-star hotel, which will also include a rooftop fine dining restaurant, spa and wedding conference facilities.

It is though the development will generate more than 250 jobs and work is expected to start later this year.

John Wilby, project lead for Ascena, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have now submitted planning for the exciting development of one of Nottingham’s most iconic buildings and we hope, all things being well, that work on the site will commence later this year.

"It is a landmark development for the city and a key destination for people across the East Midlands.

"Following close work with heritage consultants Turley and Historic England, we've ensured that the plans submitted will see a sensitive restoration of the Grade II listed building.

"The Guildhall is an amazing building and we are naturally delighted to be working with the city council."

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The Guildhall was built in 1887 and was once the home of a magistrates' court and the old fire and police stations.

Nottingham City Council staff also occupied a section of the building from 1996 until 2010, before moving to Loxley House.

Under certain regulations, development projects over a certain size require screening to determine whether what is known as an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required to be carried out.

These assessments have now been completed, which has allowed for a final planning application to be submitted.

The Grade II-listed Guildhall building is likely to house the hotel and the remaining sections of the site - including the old fire and police stations - are hoped to be redeveloped as part of the plans.

Original proposals suggested demolition work would begin in May, with work starting in September.

The final step is now subject to the planning application being approved by the council.

Jack Turton, director for Ascena, said: “With the building sitting derelict for the best part of a decade, we’re absolutely thrilled to be working with the city council in taking steps towards bringing this iconic Nottingham building back to life – it’s been a long time coming.”

City council Leader, councillor David Mellen, added: “This is a site that we have long been keen to see developed with a mix of uses, including a high-quality hotel within the main Guildhall building itself.

"We therefore welcome the fact that a developer is putting forward proposals which could reinvigorate this prime city centre site.

"The Guildhall is one of Nottingham’s most distinguished buildings and there has been a great deal of interest in what its future holds.

"The proposal for a high quality, sensitively restored hotel is an appealing prospect as we continue to transform the city centre into a new destination for residents, businesses and visitors.

“It shows ongoing confidence in Nottingham as a city to invest in even during the coronavirus crisis and would complement our wider ambitions for the city’s growth."